Today is my last full day in DC and although I’m sad to be leaving, I’m also looking forward to being back in NC and starting fresh. I will miss all my DC friends, but at least I won’t have far to travel to see them! I’ve decided to compile my own personal “best of” list to commemorate my time here…

Best Brunch
Cafe Atlantico- You introduced me to salt air margaritas and the best scallop I’ve ever tasted. My only regret is that I never got to go to your illustrious Mini Bar.
Logan Tavern- Two things that you do best, Logan Tavern: French toast and extra spicy bloody marys. Thanks for the memories.
Belga Cafe- Pommes frites for breakfast? I’m in.

Best Lunch Near Work
Breadline- You introduced me to the Cuban and I am forever grateful.
Ebbitt Express- I know others have experienced growing pains with you, but your mac & cheese and turkey burgers have never done me wrong.
NY Cafe- Your buffet always made me a little squeamish, but the cheese steaks more than made up for it.

Best Neighborhood Restaurants
Regent- It goes without saying that the Pad Gra Prao is one of the best things I’ve ever tasted. And your delivery man is the best ever. He always brings me a Coke Zero free of charge
Dupont Market- With the exception of the time you ran out of ciabatta, your sandwiches have always treated me well.
Hank’s Oyster Bar- You are the quaintest place on the block and I will always have fond memories of your fried clams.

Best Urban Excursions
Dupont Farmer’s Market- Angie showed you more love than I did, but just because I only ever bought crab cakes from you doesn’t mean I won’t miss you.
National Portrait Gallery- You are the best museum ever. Seriously. The coolest.
Nationals Park- You’ve come in on the heels of my departure, but at least we have been able to share two baseball games together. It was great seeing the first grand slam on your turf.
E Street Cinema- Yes you’re in a basement and if I accidentally leave my cell phone on you drain my battery. But I have seen some of the most amazing movies within your walls. You’re always clean and your movie-goers are always pleasant. Thank you for that.
Eastern Market- I wish I had known the joys of your farmer’s market before my last few months in DC. But I think I was too distracted by the “Pooh Jazz” watch at your flea market on my first visit to realize how truly amazing you are.
9:30 Club- I do hate standing in a crowd, but you made it bearable. Of all the musical acts that I saw on your stage, Scissor Sisters was by far the best.

Best Mini-Burgers
Matchbox- You’re always so crowded and I feel lucky when I can actually be seated in your dining room. I give your mini burgers 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Ugly Mug- After Redskins or Nationals games you are my place. I give your mini burgers 5 out of 5 stars.
Bobby Van’s- Thank you for being so welcoming to me and Carly during happy hour. I give your mini burgers 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Best Pizza
Pizzeria Paradiso- I like how your walls are painted like a faux-Italian ruin. Your Atomica pizza is amazing.
Baffetto- The only jumbo slice I trust. You are the master of cheese pizza by the slice.
Two Amy’s- You’re the only spot from my old neighborhood that made it on the list and that’s because you’re truly special. Your Margherita Extra is tried and true.

Best Happy Hour
Ceiba- Yes, it’s been a while, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten about the Hemingway Mojito.
Poste at the Hotel Monaco- Your courtyard and patio are such a nice places to relax after a stressful day at work.
Le Bar- You are the best place to go for a celebration, hands down.

Best Dive Bars
Millie & Al’s- Big flashing light bulb: ingenious. Your jukebox: best ever.
Dan’s Cafe- How could I ever doubt a place that leaves it all up to me?
Big Hunt- Your weird and grungy decor actually make you somewhat of a landmark for me. You always hosted great work happy hours.
Chief Ike’s- There are no words.

Best Late Night Food
Ben’s Chili Bowl- You serve the best chili cheese fries and chili dogs ever. Please remain a DC fixture- I will be back to visit you.
Amsterdam Falafel Shop- You were my first real encounter with falafel and I am forever indebted. I don’t know how I’ll get by without that toppings bar.
Five Guys- I know you are a big time chain now, but I knew you way back when you were only NOVA-DC. Thanks for coming to my neighborhood and thanks for being available to me in North Carolina.

Best of the Best (ie: restaurants I will dream about and cry over)
Jaleo- I’m crazy about your tomato manchego bread and I’ve never tasted such awesome sangria.
Central- You make the richest burger in the city and serve the best prosciutto plate and gougeres. Thank you Michel Richard for making a restaurant for the common folk.
Brasserie Beck- Thanks to you, I am now a lover of all things Belgian. Your beef carbonnade is one of the best winter meals I can imagine and you pour a mean Kasteel Rouge.
Cafe Saint-Ex- You were always a big hipster hangout, but I liked you too. Mmmm sweet potato fries.
Bar Pilar (tater tot era)- Why oh why did you ever change your menu? I still find myself daydreaming about tater tots, grilled cheese and tomato soup, and whatever that tortilla puff pastry thing was. Yum. Too bad you only serve tapas now; I’m still holding out hope that you’ll revert back to the glory days.
Rasika- Even though you will almost never give me a reservation, the few times we have met have been magical.

Best Outside District Lines
Restaurant Eve- You are it my friend: the creme de la creme. The only nice restaurant I ever made a trek to, but you served me one of the most amazing meals of my life. I mean that. You are in a category all by yourself- Best of the Best of the Best.

DC, you’ve been great to me. You introduced me to public transportation, Clinton Portis, and some of the most wonderful people and lifelong friends. You exposed me to real brunches and a plethora of ethnic foods that I might otherwise not have tried. You showed me that kickball can be fun (if played with the right people) and that I could live without sweet tea, fried chicken and biscuits (although barely). It’s ok that you threw three-legged rats, ceiling leaks and the occasional crazy person into the mix- that stuff just goes with being a city. Thanks for the memories. I will miss you.